Brooks Academy of Dance welcomes opportunity to expand

Brooks Academy of Dance is expanding its dance classes in Tillsonburg after introducing its newest studio room in February 2023.

“It’s worked out well, we’re very proud of it,” said BAD studio director Brittany Brooks, who with her sister and studio director, Emily Stickl, has operated Brooks Academy of Dance since they opened in 2010. “Overall, we’ re extremely grateful and happy that it’s worked out. The kids are so excited to have another large space – it’s allowed our dancers the space necessary to continue their improvement. And all ages, from our minis to our seniors.”

The dream was always to be ‘a bit bigger,’ said Brooks, noting they had two ground-floor studio rooms when they first opened. About five years later they added an upstairs room to their 185 Broadway Rear Fox Alley facility. The 2023 expansion, after two months of renovations, gives them an additional 2,000 square feet.

“You always have big dreams,” said Brooks. “We’re just really excited. This is something we’ve talked about for years, just because our competitive team has grown in numbers, which requires more studio space. And we have a booming recreational program, which we love here, and it’s also growing.”

In total, they now have nearly 6,000 square feet of dance space.

“Space is everything for a studio.”

It features a two-inch sprung floor covered by a tap-friendly marley surface.

“When you jump on it, it springs down and up. In general, it’s easier on the dancers. When they jump, it’s less hard on their joints and bodies. Also for acro and our tumblers, there’s more spring for them to do their tricks. They love all of our sprung floors.”

The competitive team had its first competition of the season March 25, and the new studio room was open during their busiest time of the year, while the recreation program was gearing up for BAD’s year-end show on June 17.

The new studio room gives BAD an opportunity to offer classes that weren’t available when they had three rooms. It also gives them visibility on Broadway with new signage on Tillsonburg’s main street, and a different access point.

“Most of the recreational programming will stay where it is. This (new) studio opens up for rentals and our competitive team.”

Brooks said it is very humble to have the opportunity to grow and expand, noting it would not have happened without the support of their community and dance families.

“I always say this wouldn’t happen without them. They allow our dreams to become a reality. It’s a family – you come in here and you’re an extension of us, of our family, and you see it in our kids. That’s important to me because even though we continue to grow, that feeling that everyone is welcome and has a place here, I think that’s massive. It’s integral.”

For more information on their summer programs visit brooksacademyofdance.com online.

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